9th Annual Summer Institute

More than 120 educators and graduate students from Riverside and San Bernardino counties attended the ninth annual Summer Institute for Educational Justice July 9, 2013 at the University of Redlands, sponsored by the School of Education's Center for Educational Justice.

Keynote speaker Dr. Marilyn Cochran-Smith, director of the Ph.D. Program in Curriculum and Instruction, Boston College, discussed developing an approach for incorporating social justice in teacher education.

“Teaching and teacher education for social justice is just not about methods or activities, like picking certain books,” Cochran-Smith said. "Social justice includes creating equal opportunities for learning and re-inventing the curriculum. How we are positioned in terms of race and power has a great deal to do with what we see and want to see.”

White said she loves attending this event. “It opens your mind and reminds you why you became a teacher. I love being able to think.”

Particpants also attended breakout sessions on a variety of topics including “Raising Awareness and Breaking down Stigma: Mental Health Advocacy through Personal and Community Empowerment,” facilitated by Dr. Janee Both Gragg, associate professor, University of Redlands, and several students from the Master of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

New to the event this year was the poster session showcasing dissertations by University of Redlands graduates of the Doctorate of Education in Leadership for Educational Justice program. A collaborative effort between faculty and students of the Center for Educational Justice, the session provided an opportunity for local educators and students to discuss the implications for practice.

“It’s always great, the energy was great,” Dr. Jose Lalas, director, Center for Educational Justice, said. “We are always able to get the best in their discipline to attend. These are the people who influence teachers.”